Method and apparatus for enabling commuter groups

Abstract

A commuter groups service (CGS) allows commuters to join commuter groups so that they are able to socialize while commuting. Through the commuter groups, the users may share commuting routes, traffic updates, road conditions, and other information. Group members may arrange car pools, short term riding arrangements, and may anonymously or directly contact each other. The CGS may collect group member position information, e.g. GPS information, to enable the CGS to calculate traffic conditions and to select location specific information for group members. The system may include an on-line service accessible through a computer or wireless networking device. The user may log into the CGS, create or modify a user profile, and join groups of their choosing. Groups may be associated with specific events or with getting to/from work. Commuter groups may be formed for commuters that use private vehicles and/or public transportation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communicating information to a user of a traffic information service, the method comprising:
 receiving information identifying a route to be travelled by the user from the user;   assigning the user to at least one user group based on the information identifying the route to be travelled by the user; and   based on the assignment of the user to the at least one user group, providing information associated with the identified route to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein assigning the user to the at least one user group based on the information identifying the route to be travelled by the user comprises assigning the user to at least one user group comprising users travelling routes overlapping the route to be travelled by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein assigning the user to the at least one user group based on the information identifying the route to be travelled by the user comprises assigning the user to at least one user group based on at least one route segment of the route to be travelled by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein assigning the user to the at least one user group based on the at least one route segment comprises assigning the user to a group of users travelling routes which include the at least one route segment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising receiving contact information from the user and from other users. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising providing, to the user, the contact information of at least one other user in the at least one user group to which the user is assigned. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein providing the contact information of the at least one other user in the at least one user group to which the user is assigned comprises providing the contact information based on a current location of the user and a current location of the at least one other user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the provided contact information of the at least one other user does not identify the at least one other user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the provided contact information of the at least one other user is usable by the user to contact the at least one other user only via the traffic information service. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the contact information comprises at least one of a phone number, an instant messaging address, an email address, and an alias. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the information identifying the route to be travelled by the user comprises receiving, from the user, information identifying a start location and an end location. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving the information identifying the route to be travelled by the user further comprises, responsive to receiving the information identifying the start location and the end location, providing, to the user, at least one option for a route between the start location and the end location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises:
 monitoring progress of the user on the identified route; and   providing, to the user, information based on a current location of the user on the identified route.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises providing traffic information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises providing accident information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises providing image information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises providing video information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the information associated with the identified route comprises providing advertising information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identified route comprises a plurality of route segments. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein providing, to the user, information based on a current location of the user on the identified route comprises providing, to the user, information based on a current route segment of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising generating traffic information based on information received from other users of the traffic information service, wherein providing, to the user, the information associated with the identified route comprises providing, to the user, the traffic information associated with the identified route. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises the traffic information. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises accident information. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises image information. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises video information. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises information indicating locations of the other users. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information received from the other users of the traffic information service comprises information indicating speeds of the other users. 
     
     
         28 . A method of communicating information to a user of a traffic information service, the method comprising:
 receiving information identifying a route to be travelled by the user from the user; and   providing video information associated with the identified route to the user.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the video information is video information provided by another user. 
     
     
         30 . A method of communicating information to a user of a traffic information service, the method comprising:
 receiving information identifying a route to be travelled by the user from the user; and   providing advertising information associated with the identified route to the user.